I sometimes tell my sons, “Success in life is discerning the will of God for your life and then doing it!” We make decisions and then our decisions make us. That leads us to an obvious question: Just how do we best discern God’s will?
Gary Friesen is a Professor of the Bible at Multnomah Bible College. Over 20 years ago, I read his book Decision-Making and the Will of God. I have been greatly helped over the years by Dr. Friesen’s insights into the scriptures.
In making decisions that are pleasing to God, Dr. Friesen gives us 4 principles for decision-making. Today, we’ll look at the first principle.
1. OBEDIENCE: Where God commands, we obey.
Theologians talk about the "moral" will of God, the “desired” will of God, and the “revealed” will of God. The Bible is full of commands and principles to teach us how we ought to believe and live.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17
II Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Discerning the will of God starts first with the Bible. If you want to know God’s will, know God’s word! Read the Bible to learn what God’s will is. And then just do it!
If you think of God’s moral/desired/revealed will as a circle, then it’s easy for us to visualize whether we are in the will of God or not. What are some things the Bible says are out of God’s will? What are some things in God’s will?
The Bible is full of positive and negative commands. For example, it’s God’s will that we present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, that we counter our culture, and that we renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2). It’s God’s will that we trust in the Lord, lean not on our own understanding, and acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Many years ago, I remember John MacArthur teaching that there are several NT passages that point-blank tell us what the will of God is.
It is the will of God…
… that we are saved
The Lord is… longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
II Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
… that we are Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:17-18).
Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:17-18 (ESV)
This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.
I Thessalonians 4:3
… that we are saying thanks (I Thessalonians 5:15-18).
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
… that we are suffering (I Peter 4:18).
Let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
I Peter 4:18 (ESV)
presenting your body as a living sacrifice to God? Are you countering your culture Are you renewing your mind (Romans 12:1-2)? Are you trusting in the Lord, leaning not on your own understanding, and acknowledging Him (Proverbs 3:5-6)? Are you saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, saying thanks, and suffering?
If you have questions about God’s will for your life, start here. Start with obedience.
If we want to be in God’s will, we need to do what God says. To do God’s word you have to know God’s word. Many of our questions about God’s will would be settled if we would just know and obey the word of God in the Bible.
Our biggest need is to become more familiar with and sensitive to the word of God. (It’s why we encourage CVCers to use our 2012 Bible reading plan. Pick one up in the foyer use it!) Look in the Book. Put His truths in your heart so when you are making a decision, God can bring them to your mind and say to you, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Principle #1: The principle of obedience.
Gary Friesen is a Professor of the Bible at Multnomah Bible College. Over 20 years ago, I read his book Decision-Making and the Will of God. I have been greatly helped over the years by Dr. Friesen’s insights into the scriptures.
In making decisions that are pleasing to God, Dr. Friesen gives us 4 principles for decision-making. Today, we’ll look at the first principle.
1. OBEDIENCE: Where God commands, we obey.
Theologians talk about the "moral" will of God, the “desired” will of God, and the “revealed” will of God. The Bible is full of commands and principles to teach us how we ought to believe and live.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17
II Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Discerning the will of God starts first with the Bible. If you want to know God’s will, know God’s word! Read the Bible to learn what God’s will is. And then just do it!
If you think of God’s moral/desired/revealed will as a circle, then it’s easy for us to visualize whether we are in the will of God or not. What are some things the Bible says are out of God’s will? What are some things in God’s will?
The Bible is full of positive and negative commands. For example, it’s God’s will that we present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, that we counter our culture, and that we renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2). It’s God’s will that we trust in the Lord, lean not on our own understanding, and acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Many years ago, I remember John MacArthur teaching that there are several NT passages that point-blank tell us what the will of God is.
It is the will of God…
… that we are saved
The Lord is… longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
II Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
… that we are Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:17-18).
Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:17-18 (ESV)
… that we are sanctified (I Thessalonians 4:3).
This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.
I Thessalonians 4:3
… that we are saying thanks (I Thessalonians 5:15-18).
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
… that we are suffering (I Peter 4:18).
Let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
I Peter 4:18 (ESV)
presenting your body as a living sacrifice to God? Are you countering your culture Are you renewing your mind (Romans 12:1-2)? Are you trusting in the Lord, leaning not on your own understanding, and acknowledging Him (Proverbs 3:5-6)? Are you saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, saying thanks, and suffering?
If you have questions about God’s will for your life, start here. Start with obedience.
If we want to be in God’s will, we need to do what God says. To do God’s word you have to know God’s word. Many of our questions about God’s will would be settled if we would just know and obey the word of God in the Bible.
Our biggest need is to become more familiar with and sensitive to the word of God. (It’s why we encourage CVCers to use our 2012 Bible reading plan. Pick one up in the foyer use it!) Look in the Book. Put His truths in your heart so when you are making a decision, God can bring them to your mind and say to you, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Principle #1: The principle of obedience.
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